Trump’s correspondence was a veiled admonition

Dear Editor,

Many are gleeful while others are grossly disappointed with President Donald Trump’s letter to President Granger on the eve of Guyana’s Republic celebrations. Headlines in the Guyana media include: `Trump’s Republic message cites Guyana’s respect for democratic governance, institutions’, `U.S. hails Guyana respect for democratic governance’, and ` US President praises Guyana’s respect for democratic institutions; cites role in Hemispheric peace’.

One must be reminded of the context of this correspondence. The source is from the ( State Department) United States of America, to the Republic of Guyana – shortly after the ABCE countries met with GECOM, including Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy, Terry Steers-Gonzalez. This is diplomatic dissemination. Such diplomatic banter often avoids directness which can be an effective appealing style. Diplomatic language is a way to avoid sounding aggressive, and it can allow one to say something negative while still maintaining a positive tone.

President Trump’s letter to President Granger was a subtle and diplomatic way to let the latter know that the USA was not pleased with the antics of the Guyana Government to mess around with the democratic (electoral) system in the country; it was a reprimand, not a compliment. The correspondence was clearly a veiled admonition to the President that he is expected to honour “the principles and integrity of democratic governance and institutions” of Guyana.

This very polite expression is a gigantic prick in the side of President David A. Granger that the US and the world are watching.

Yours faithfully, Dr Devanand Bhagwan